Soothing lightly scented accent sandalwood beads add a subtle contrast to the textured black lava beads. Mala beads are beautiful tools for meditation. Breathe calmly and move through the beads, one-by-one, as you repeat a personal mantra or intention with each count.
- Bead size: 6mm
- Individually Knotted between each bead
- Made of sandalwood and lava beads
- Black cotton tassel
- Bead Configuration: 1 SW + 52 Lava + 2 SW + 52 Lava + 1 SW + 1 Guru Bead
- For meditation use only, not recommended as a jewelry item
Due to the nature of natural stones, this piece will feature exquisite variations in surface patterns and overall appearance. Such details enhance the unique beauty of each piece.
design: A traditional 108-bead mala of textured black lava stone, punctuated with warm sandalwood spacer beads and finished with a hand-tied black cotton tassel.
size: 6mm beads; 108 beads plus one guru bead. Full strand length not specified.
material: Lava stone and sandalwood beads, hand-knotted on black cotton cord with a cotton tassel.
features: 108 individually knotted beads, lightly scented sandalwood spacers, black cotton tassel, guru bead, bead configuration of 1 SW + 52 Lava + 2 SW + 52 Lava + 1 SW + 1 Guru Bead
care: Keep the lava and sandalwood beads away from water, oils, and perfume, and store in a soft pouch when not in use to preserve their texture and scent.
disclaimer: Because lava stone and sandalwood are natural materials, slight variations in bead texture, tone, and grain occur, making each mala one of a kind.
Meaning & Intention
Lava stone is formed when molten rock cools and hardens, its porous surface carrying the memory of fire and pressure. In mala tradition it is prized as a grounding stone, one believed to steady scattered energy and connect the wearer to the strength that comes through transformation rather than in spite of it.
Sandalwood has long been used in Buddhist and Hindu prayer practice for its calming, faintly sweet scent, which is thought to quiet the mind and support focus during recitation. Set against the deep black of the lava beads, the pale sandalwood spacers also mark the mala's structure, dividing the strand and offering the fingers a subtle cue as they move.
The count of 108 appears throughout Buddhist and Hindu tradition as a number of completeness, and a mala of 108 beads plus one guru bead is the classic tool for counting a full round of mantra repetitions. Each pass around the strand becomes a small, tactile ritual, one bead for one breath, one word, or one intention.
Used daily, this mala becomes less an object and more a companion to practice, held during a morning sit, tucked into a meditation cushion, or kept nearby as a reminder to pause. The weight of the stone in the hand and the steady rhythm of moving from bead to bead can help anchor a wandering mind back to the breath.
Essence & Elements
- Ideal For: Meditators and mantra practitioners seeking a grounding, steadying tool for daily practice
- Purpose: Mantra counting, seated meditation, breathwork focus, grounding ritual
- Suggested Mantra: I am grounded and calm
- Intention: Grounding, Calm, Balance
- Chakra Connection: Root Chakra
- Gemstone: Lava Stone
Lava stone is valued in crystal lore as a grounding companion, thought to draw on the earth's own fire-born strength to help settle restlessness and support emotional steadiness. Its porous, matte surface is also traditionally used to hold a drop of essential oil, letting the stone carry a personal scent through a meditation session.
Questions & Guidance
What does the number 108 represent on this mala?
108 is considered a sacred number in Buddhist and Hindu traditions, and a mala of 108 beads is the classic tool for completing one full round of mantra repetitions during meditation.
Can I wear this mala as jewelry?
This piece is intended for meditation use rather than everyday wear, so it's best kept for practice and held or draped over the hand during your sit.
How should I clean and care for the lava and sandalwood beads?
Wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth and keep the beads away from water, oils, and perfume, since lava stone is porous and sandalwood is sensitive to scent.
Why do the lava beads have a rough, pitted texture?
The texture is a natural feature of lava stone, formed as gas bubbles escaped through cooling volcanic rock, so each bead carries its own distinctive surface pattern.
What is the guru bead used for?
The single larger bead marks the start and end of the 108-count strand, giving you a natural pause to reflect before beginning another round of counting.
